The Congregational Church of Westborough UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

West Main & Church Streets, Westborough, Massachusetts

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

WE WELCOME VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS! Available are nursery/cribbery care, large print bulletins, and an elevator.

Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Associate Pastor

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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTBOROUGH

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

April 24, 2016 10:00 AM

Confirmation Sunday

*The Congregation is invited to stand.

PRELUDE “Song Without Words” Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Op. 53, No. 4

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Andrew Christmann

INTROIT

*CALL TO WORSHIP Kitty Oevermann

One: Come Holy Spirit and send from heaven rays of Your light.

All: Come Parent of the Poor, Come Giver of Gifts, Come Light of Hearts.

One: Come Best Consoler, Sweet Guest of the Soul, Sweet Refreshment: in labor, rest; in heat,

coolness; in grief, comfort.

All: O most blessed Light, fill the intimate depths of our hearts, for without Your power

we are empty and at risk.

One: Wash what is unclean, water what is dried out, heal whatever is wounded.

All: Bend what is rigid; warm what is frigid, rule what is wayward.

One: Come give to Your faithful deep trust in You. Give the merit of virtue.

All: Give reverence for the holy, Your assurance of peace, and strength to face our fears

with love.

One: Give Your wisdom and understanding. Give life abundant and Your perennial joy.

All: Come Holy Spirit Come! Amen, Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION Cameron Allen

Come, Holy Spirit, come. Renew Your whole creation, nature and grace, soul and body,

and all manner of matter. Move in and around us and fill us with Your creative energy and

extravagant light. May our hearts be open, may our hearts be stirred, for the work of love

to which You call us and the hope of the world for which we labor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us saying…

*THE LORD’S PRAYER (Debts)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be

done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For

thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

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*OPENING HYMN #609 “Take My Life” HENDON

SERVICE OF THE WORD

CHILDREN’S WORD Deven Ruberti & students

(Children in grades 4 and up are invited to come forward to witness confirmation service)

(Children in grades 3 and below can now go to their Summer School classes.)

SCRIPTURES: 1 Timothy 4:6-12 (pew Bible page 964) Audrey Lord Matthew 5:14-16 (pew Bible page 786) Rachel Keeler

CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS OF FAITH Class of 2016

PASTOR’S REFLECTION Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani

VIDEO Dr. Marcia McFee

ORDER OF CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2016

Cameron W. Allen

Son of Ted & Kristina Mentor, Rich Lord

Andrew James Christmann

Son of Elizabeth Lombre Mentor, Al Mosher

Grandson of Elaine Sprower

Rachel Katherine Keeler

Daughter of Kevin & Jennifer Mentor, Rachel Graham

Granddaughter of Sue Menzel

Audrey Elizabeth Lord

Daughter of Rich & Brenda Mentor, Erin Dimick

Granddaughter of Jerry & Marilyn Lyle

Katarina Rose Oevermann

Daughter of Ulrich & Kari Mentor, Brenda Lord

Granddaughter of Karen Gavel

Deven Salvador Ruberti

Son of David & Lisa Mentor, Alan Hutchinson

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SERVICE OF CONFIRMATION** Rev. Elaine & Pastor Paul

INVITATION, SENTENCES & PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

ACT OF CONFIRMATION

PRAYER OF CONFIRMATION

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

BLESSING

QUESTIONS OF THE CONFIRMANDS

Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ? [I do]

Do you believe in one God: Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit? [I do, by the grace of God]

Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and

justice? [I will, God being my helper]

Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ? [I will, God being my helper]

Will you join with your brothers and sisters in this community of faith to celebrate God's

presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others? [I will, God being my

helper]

*CONGREGATIONAL COMMITMENT (All stand if able)

All: We will continue to support you, walk with you, and grow with you. With God's

help, we will live out our baptism as a loving community in Jesus Christ: nurturing

one another in faith, upholding one another in prayer, and encouraging one another

in God's work.

*OWNING OF THE COVENANT (Please remain standing)

We covenant with the Lord and one another, and do commit ourselves in the presence of God to

walk together in the way of justice and love as it is revealed to us through Holy Scripture and

God's continuing revelation. We will strive to be doers of the word, to be firm in faith, enlivened

by hope, and constant in love.

(Parents and mentors please come forward)

ANTHEM “Shout to the Lord” Darlene Zschech

JoySpring Choir

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Audrey Lord

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OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS Andrew Christmann

Invitation: Where two or more are gathered in God's Name there is God in the midst of them.

Let us share our love with one another and those past these walls with our morning offering.

In each of our pews today is a black friendship book which we encourage you to fill out and

pass to the person next to you during the offering. If you have been with us before, just put

down your name, but if you are new today, please let us know who you are. Thanks!

Offertory “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” arr. by Armold B. Sherman

Chancel Choir

Festival Ringers, dir. by Sue Menzel

*DOXOLOGY (unison)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)

Gracious God, we bring before You our gifts of substance and the gift of our lives. We bring

our passion and joy, our visions and dreams. May they refresh and enliven our church and

the world blessed by the wind of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

*DEACON’S CALL

*CLOSING SONG “You Are Holy” (Prince of Peace) Marc Imboden &

JoySpring Choir Tammi Rhoton

Each line in the first two paragraphs are repeated:

You are holy,

You are mighty,

You are worthy,

Worthy of praise.

I will follow,

I will listen,

I will love you,

All of my days.

I will sing to and worship the King who is worthy,

And I will love and adore Him, and I will bow down before Him.

And I will sing to and worship the King who is worthy,

And I will love and adore Him, and I will bow down before Him.

You're my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for You.

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*BENEDICTION Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani

*POSTLUDE

**The Service of Confirmation was adapted from "Renewal of Baptismal Faith", United Church

of Canada.

We would like to thank Tom Morgan and John Truesdell for their technical support.

Our Confirmands greeted you this morning and served as liturgists.

Joan Truesdell and Pam Faustine are Deacons of the day.

OPEN DOORS – GROWING FAITH!

This is our vision statement. It speaks to our desire to open our doors to all of God’s children,

and to have all of the love and acceptance that is in this place flow out of our doors for the

community and beyond. Our hope is also to grow faith in kids, youth and adults so that we can

walk together in Jesus’ way, led by the Holy Spirit. Join us!

Join us for refreshments and fellowship downstairs following worship

PRAYERS & CELEBRATIONS FOR APR 24, 2016

New Prayers: Chris Bramley (undergoing tests at a hospital in Florida); Elaine Foss is at Beaumont.

Continued Prayers: Jane Kruse; Maciej Moskal; Julie Harris (Marge Butcher’s sister-in-law); Ted

Jaworski’s mother Gina and his sister Liz; Edwin Heckman (Nancy Uhlman’s brother); Nancy Walker;

Verna Dwyer in VA (Tom Dwyer’s mother); Pat Ainsleigh; Dick Birch; Helena Engberg.

Prayer requests: You can place prayer concerns on the church’s email distribution list at

eprayers@uccwestboro.org. If you would like a prayer request included in today’s service, please let a

Deacon know prior to the start of worship. Prayers will remain listed for 8 weeks. If you would like a

prayer renewed, please call the church office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARKING OPTIONS

Please know that in addition to parking in our lot or on the street, you can park next door in the library

parking spaces on Parkman St., or behind the Forbes building next to the library. We’re glad you’re here!

NEW PEOPLE/MEMBER’S MEETING – TODAY

Join us after church this morning at 11:15am downstairs in the chapel! It will be a great chance to meet

other new people and learn more about the church! Hope to see you there!

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FELLOWSHIP!

Next Saturday, April 30, we hope you’ll join us to walk along the Blackstone River Canal

(Northbridge to Uxbridge). We’ll leave the church at 1:30pm. After our walk, we’ll pop

over to Wright’s Farm for a well-deserved family style dinner about 6:00. All ages are

welcome.

It’s about 3.5 miles; the first section is slightly uphill. (If you’d like to walk less, we could

drop you off to walk about 4,000 feet on flat land.)

Sign up after Sunday service in the vestry near the library or email joan.truesdell@verizon.net or call Joan

at 508.836.4071 to sign up or get more information. We’ll make a reservation at Wright’s so do let me

know if you’re joining us for dinner only. Joan Truesdell/John Truesdell/Suzanne Arpante

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP ANNUAL DINNER MAY 2nd

Please see more details on the last page of bulletin. Either call the office and sign up or contact Nancy

Cook at 508-366-0047 or nancycook8@msn.com or sign up on Sunday during fellowship hour. If you

sign up after April 26th

, please contact Cathie Achorn at 870-0521 or CAMAchorn@aol.com. Reservation

deadline is Wednesday, April 27th. After that you will be put on a wait list if something opens up.

CHILDREN OF REFUGEES EVENT

Would you like to learn more about refugees and their children in our area? Want to help? The Interfaith

Clergy Group of Westborough is sponsoring an event on Thursday, May 5th

at 7PM in the Chapel

downstairs, hosted by our Mission Committee. It will be led by Ascentria, the leading settler of refugees in

our area. They ask people to bring in soccer balls or cleats. Join us!

MOTHER’S DAY SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR – MAY 8

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Please join us Mother’s Day, May 8th

, following worship we will be having our 4th annual

Scholastic Book Fair to benefit Hands Across the Sea. Hands Across the Sea is a non-profit

that has been successfully working to create lending libraries and literacy programs

throughout much of the Caribbean. In the last three years, we have donated over $3,700

worth of NEW BOOKS! Whether you buy a book for yourself, purchase one to donate, or both!

ALL sales help us to purchase more books for Hands Across the Sea…everybody wins! Our students help

to run the fair, helping shoppers to pick out the prefect book, collecting funds, sorting and packing books to

be shipped to the Caribbean, and packing up the fair.

Book fair web address--- http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/westboroughcongregational

YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS

May 8th we will be having our “topic” meeting including games, food and discussion.

May 22 we will be having in “outing” meeting TBD by our group on May 8th!

~ALL students 6th grade thru 12th are invited to join in Youth Group meetings…Friends (from school,

teams, or neighbors!) are ALWAYS welcome!

PRAYER SERVICE – THURSDAY, MAY 12TH

AT 7PM

Join us for a time of prayer in the chapel as we pray for our church and our people.

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WORK DAY – SAT. MAY 21ST

– 9AM – 3PM

We will be gathering on Saturday, May 21st to do all of our spring cleaning projects around the church!

You can come down anytime between 9-3, and there are all kinds of different projects for different abilities,

so please don’t stay away because you think you don’t have anything to offer. It should be fun-see you

there!

PARISH LIFE EVENT

On Sat. May, 14th

at 6PM, everyone is invited to come bowl at the Sawyers Bowlerdome on Blake

Street in Northborough. Pizza to follow in the party room. You must sign up ahead of time so

Parish Life can reserve enough lanes. Call Cathie Achorn: 508-870-0521 or email to:

camachorn@aol.com to sign up.

BELL RINGERS NEEDED!

With the recent relocations of Kris Knutrud and Garrett Kerr, we are down a few bell ringers and are

currently looking to find replacements

WHO: Festival Ringers

WHAT: 2 Positions open to ring

WHY: We need you

AGE: High School & up

WHEN: Tuesdays from 7:30pm to 9:00pm

Speak to Sue Menzel after church in the Bell Loft or email her at westcongmusic@gmail.com

COFFEE HOUR

Would you like to serve by helping out with the coffee hour after church downstairs? Please look for the

sign-up downstairs on the coffee hour table. Email Suzanne Arpante at sbarpante@aol.com. Thanks!

GROCERY CARDS

2016 Goal: $10,000 2016 YTD Sales: $2,313.40

How does the Grocery Card program work? We buy grocery cards in bulk from Stop & Shop, Roche

Bros., and Price Chopper at a discounted rate. We sell the card to you at face value. This fund raiser

supports the operations part of the Church budget. For the year 2016, we have made a commitment of

$10,000 to the budget. Thanks! Contact us: Karen Hutchinson at 508.870.1782 or millarhutch@aol.com or

Nancy Quimby at 774.249.4431 or nquimby11@gmail.com or Sally Petersen at sbpetersen4@gmail.com

and 366.5169.

PASTOR PAUL AT PANERA WED. 4-6PM

Pastor Paul is at Panera in downtown Westboro from 4-6PM on Wednesdays. Drop by to say hello or for a

chat! He will not be there this Wed., April 27th

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E-PRAYERS AND E-NEWS

Two ways our church community can stay in touch with up to date notices and prayer concerns is to make

sure you are signed up to receive eprayers and enews. The two programs are separate and intended to have

separate content and not be duplicative. Enews is for announcements about our church’s activities, and

eprayers is for prayer requests, concerns of the congregation, celebrations and other spiritually related

matters. To subscribe to eprayers or to submit a prayer request please email your request to

eprayers@uccwestboro.org. If you would like to subscribe to enews, contact the church office at 366-2000

or send your request to either brossi6@verizon.net or westboroucc@verizon.net . Once you do, you will

then receive an email asking you to subscribe to the service. All you have to do is accept the email and you

will be put on the list.

OUR CHURCH HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER TOO!

Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor – phsangree@gmail.com

Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Associate Pastor - revelaineg@aol.com

Wendy Reardon, Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries - wendysreardon@yahoo.com

Clayton Heidbreder, Minister of Music/Organist – claytonlh1@gmail.com

Linda Hartley, Student Minister - lhartley@ants.edu

Office hours: Mon & Fri 9-1, Tues, Wed, Thurs 9-2, Church office phone 508/366-2000

General Church email – westboroucc@verizon.net Church website www.uccwestboro.org

www.facebook.com/TheCongregationalChurchofWestborough

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APR 24th

- MAY 1st

Apr 24 Confirmation Sunday

9:00 AM Bible Study/Chapel

10:00 AM Worship & Church School

11:30 AM New Members Get Together/Chapel

Noon Youth Group

5:30 PM GSA/Vestry

6:30 PM Bible Study/Chapel

Apr 25 Monday

2:30 PM GSA/Vestry

6:30 PM BSA Pack/Vestry

7:00 PM Mission Committee/Kerygma Room

7:30 PM AA/Cribbery

Apr 26 Tuesday (no events scheduled)

Apr 27 Wednesday EVANGEL PUBLISHED

9:30 AM Playgroup/Cribbery

10:00 AM Called to Care/Kerygma Room

3:30 PM Journey Home Singers/Choir Room

7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

7:30 PM JoySpring Rehearsal

Apr 28 Thursday 3:00 PM PCC/Fannie Forbes Room

6:30 PM Bible Study/Kerygma Room

6:45 PM BSA/Vestry

Apr 29 Friday (no events scheduled)

Apr 30 Saturday

12-2:00 PM Library Shred Day, church parking lot closed

May 1 Communion Sunday (Rev. Elaine preaching)

9:00 AM Bible Study/Chapel

10:00 AM Worship & Church School

11:30 AM Deacons/Kerygma Room

11:30 AM Children’s Chimes & Bells

4:30 PM BSA Troop Comm/Kerygma Room

5:30 PM GSA/Vestry

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All women of the church are cordially invited to the

Women’s Fellowship May Dinner Monday, May 2, 2016

6:00 P.M. - Social Hour & Appetizers

6:45 P.M. - Short Meeting * 7:00 P.M. - Dinner

DoubleTree Hotel 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough

COST: $15.00 (payable that evening) and cash bar available _______________________________________________________

Plated Dinner Meal includes: Appetizers (Cheese & Cracker Plate and Vegetable Crudité)

* Orchard Chicken - or - Haddock with Cracker Topping * * Salad * Rolls & Butter * Coffee and Tea * Seasonal Vegetables *

* NY Style Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce *

* Door Prizes * _____________________________________________________________________________

Reservations Required: Call Nancy Cook at (508) 366-0047 - or –

send an e-mail to: nancycook8@msn.com

Deadline: Wednesday, April 27 th After the 26th call Cathie Achorn at 508-870-0521

(you will be put on a wait list if something opens up)

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